- CSMFO

The State Department of Finance in coordination with the California Special Districts Association (CSDA) is holding a webinar on Monday September 27 on how Special Districts can apply for funding from the $100 million COVID-19 relief set aside in the State Budget.

SB 129 (Skinner) and SB 170 (Skinner) were approved on July 12, 2021, and September 13, 2021, respectively as California’s Budget Bill Juniors to finalize the details for this one-time Special District funding.  CSMFO was proud to support CSDA efforts to create this funding similar the American Rescue Plan Act funding for cities and counties.

The $100 Million Independent Special District COVID-19 Relief Fund application period is expected to open October 1 – 15. 

Register Now for the Webinar with the Department of Finance

September 27, 2021, from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM. DOF will hold a webinar informational session for how to apply for funding. This webinar is offered by CSDA at no charge to both CSDA members and non-members.

During the webinar, DOF will discuss the allocation process, provide a preview of the web portal, and answer questions.

COVID-19 Relief Program Details.   According to the Budget Act, this fund is available to provide fiscal relief to special districts that have met all the following criteria:

  1. The agency is an independent special district;
  2. The district is reporting fiscal impacts due to the COVID-19 public health emergency:
    1. The district has encountered unanticipated costs due to the pandemic during the eligible period of March 4, 2020 to June 15, 2021; and/or,
    2. The district has encountered loss of revenue during the eligible period, which is calculated using revenue from all fund sources of fiscal year 2020-21 compared against revenue from all fund sources of fiscal year 2018-19;
  3. The district has not yet received direct COVID-19 fiscal relief from the state or federal government.

According to the budget language, the plan for distribution must consider:

  1. Each qualifying district that applies for relief will receive a prorated share;
  2. Each district’s share will be based on a proportionate share of revenue losses reported by all qualifying districts (CSDA anticipates this to be construed by DOF to be distributed based on proportional impact);
  3. Applicants will self-attest to the accuracy of all information reported;
  4. There is no stated timeline for DOF to release the program funds, but once DOF orders the State Controller to remit funds to each County Auditor-Controller, they must disburse the funds within 30 days of receipt from the State Controller.

For more information, please go to our Partner CSDA’s “COVID-19 Relief Funding” webpage.

This breaking news was provided by CSDA and jointly published by CSMFO.

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Marcus Pimentel is the Budget Manager for the County of Santa Cruz and serves CSMFO as the 2021 President.  Marcus has been a member of the Communication, Membership, and Technology Committees and several Conference Host Committees. Marcus has over 20 years of local government finance and administration experience in the Monterey Bay area serving previously as the Finance Director for the City of Santa Cruz and Administrative Services Director for the City of Watsonville. He is proud of his family’s immigrant Portuguese heritage and is grateful that his wife and his daughters Kaitlynn and Kirsten still choose to be such a big part of his life.